@kaltra • www.kaltras.com • Utopia Reimagined, Photo Collage •
5 Questions:
1. My family and I won the lottery to come to America in the early 2000’s. After half a millenium of being colonized, World Wars and multiple masacres, a violent dictatorship, multiple government collapses, a genocide and civil unrest in Albania, millions of people left Albania once the borders opened in the 90’s-00’s to seek refuge. My hometown was the center point of the civil unrest and the hospitals were closed so my family and I took refuge in Italy so my mother could give birth to my sister. We returned to Albania for 3 more years before we won the lottery to move to America.
2. It has expanded my understanding of what family is and shown me that your family doesn’t have to be related to you.to be considered a family member. So long as someone has similar morals, values and cares for me as they would their own sister, I consider them family. Now living in the melting pot of the world, my family is multicultural and my loved ones are from many different nationalities and ethnicities.
3. When I was young, I was bullied for being an immigrant and Albanian so I tried to assimilate. The older I get, the more I lean into my Albanian customs and traditions. When I was young, I played clarinet which is heavily featured in Albanian music and as an adult I sing Albanian songs the generations before me have sung. Now I treasure my culture and constantly seek to learn more about the history and customs of my people, like Albanian iso-polyphony music.
4. Being indigenous to the Eastern Mediterranean and living in chilly Chicago, I feel homesick everyday, like a child who yearns for their mothers comfort. To combat homesickness, I recreate my grandmother’s and mother’s recipes, dance Albanian folk dances the way my father taught me, embroider and weave on my loom just like my ancestors did and I spend time learning more about my culture and language. I celebrate the holidays of my ancestors like Summers Day, Womens Day, and Childrens day etc.
5. Being from a country that was completely destroyed 30 years ago and seeing Albania rebuild gives me hope. Being an immigrant has taught me that home is where you are and that your community is waiting for you. I’m dreaming of a future where my community is rejoicing in peace and safety.
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Bio | Art Statement
Kaltra Seferi is an Albanian born, Chicago based multidisciplinary artist. While living in Albania and Rome, Kaltra’s early introductions to the cultures and environments she encountered inspired her passion for artistic craftsmanship. Over the last 22 years, Kaltra has focused on developing her own personal techniques amongst several mediums. Kaltra earned her Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2019, during her studies she started to design her own cityscapes using photography, painting, drawings, and 3D digital models. After graduation, Kaltra explored the art of space through the interior/exterior lens as an interior designer and an aluminum rainscreen facade designer. In 2025, Kaltra interior designed Vjosa Cafe and has now shifted her focus to curating art shows and hosting community events while maintaining her artistic practice.
Karaburun Reimagined, Photography all taken by Kaltra and digitally Collaged.
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Featured Artists | Akira – Light that Heals • Alejandra Lemus • Angie Zaveleta • Anna Silivonchik • Bane-xxa • Calayah • Catherine Economopoulos • Christian Joshua Varela Solis • Cindy Uriostegui • Darth Rudo • El Poeta • Grecia Solorio • Idil Duman • Javier Viñuela • Jimena Hernández Aguilar • Julia Obrien • Kaltra • Kybo • Lorena Salinas • Lydia Gunn • Mariana Perez • Mary Antar • Michael Azpeitia • Papaya Guayaba • Peauxline • Rita Garcia Šindelář • Roele Phantom • santi[ago alvarado] • Schantelle Alonzo “Mishipiku” • Scribe • Tai Kojro-Badziak • Toni Maugeri • Valeria Osornio • Victoria Park • Victoria-Riza • Yekseny Guerrero